Grapefruit Eases Arthritis

02/19/2008 05:22 PM

02/19/2008 05:24 PM

“My mother has heard that eating grapefruit will worsen her arthritis... Is there anything to it?” Syracuse

“My mother has heard that eating grapefruit will worsen her arthritis. We know that grapefruit can affect cholesterol medications, but I have searched the internet and cannot find a connection between grapefruit and arthritis. Is there anything to it?” Syracuse

No, there's not. We called a rheumatologist at University Hospital... He says grapefruit may actually help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. It's believed grapefruit blocks substances that cause inflammation. The fruit is also loaded with vitamin C which prevents inflammation and reduces severity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who take the medication cyclosporine are a special case - they should avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. It can affect the protective benefits of the medication.

Copyright 2008 Clear Channel Broadcasting. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.